U.S. patent number 8,298,007 [Application Number 13/185,220] was granted by the patent office on 2012-10-30 for rf plug connector, rf receptacle connector, and rf connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Fujikura Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Taguchi.
United States Patent |
8,298,007 |
Taguchi |
October 30, 2012 |
RF plug connector, RF receptacle connector, and RF connector
Abstract
Provided is an RF plug connector which includes: a conductive
terminal portion; and an annular conductive coaxial portion that is
arranged around the terminal portion, wherein a pair of conductive
lead portions extending in the same direction is provided at the
outer circumference of the coaxial portion, the terminal portion
comprises a lead portion that is arranged between the pair of lead
portions so as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof,
and impedance control is performed by adjusting the distance
between the lead portion of the terminal portion and the lead
portions of the coaxial portion.
Inventors: |
Taguchi; Hiroyuki (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Fujikura Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
42395465 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/185,220 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2011 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110275243 A1 |
Nov 10, 2011 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/JP2010/000559 |
Jan 29, 2010 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 30, 2009 [JP] |
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2009-020264 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
439/578 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6473 (20130101); H01R 24/50 (20130101); H01R
13/6474 (20130101); H01R 13/6471 (20130101); H01R
2103/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
9/05 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;439/578,581,63
;29/876 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2001-035606 |
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Feb 2001 |
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JP |
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2001-307842 |
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Nov 2001 |
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JP |
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2006-066281 |
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Mar 2006 |
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JP |
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2006-185773 |
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Jul 2006 |
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JP |
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2006-318936 |
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Nov 2006 |
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JP |
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Primary Examiner: Gilman; Alexander
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation application based on a PCT
Patent Application No. PCT/JP2010/000559, filed Jan. 29, 2010,
whose priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No.
2009-020264 filed Jan. 30, 2009, the entire content of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An RF plug connector comprising: a conductive terminal portion;
and an annular conductive coaxial portion that is arranged around
the terminal portion, wherein a pair of conductive lead portions
extending in the same direction is provided at the outer
circumference of the coaxial portion, the terminal portion
comprises a lead portion that is arranged between the pair of lead
portions so as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof,
impedance control is performed by adjusting the distance between
the lead portion of the terminal portion and the lead portions of
the coaxial portion, and the end faces of the pair of lead portions
and the end face of the lead portion of the terminal portion are
arranged on substantially the same plane.
2. An RF plug connector comprising: a conductive terminal portion;
and an annular conductive coaxial portion that is arranged around
the terminal portion, wherein a pair of conductive lead portions
extending in the same direction is provided at the outer
circumference of the coaxial portion, the terminal portion
comprises a lead portion that is arranged between the pair of lead
portions so as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof,
impedance control is performed by adjusting the distance between
the lead portion of the terminal portion and the lead portions of
the coaxial portion, and the end faces of the pair of lead portions
project out of the end face of the lead portion of the terminal
portion in the extension direction of each lead portion.
3. An RF receptacle connector comprising: a conductive terminal
portion; and an annular conductive coaxial portion that is arranged
around the terminal portion, wherein a pair of conductive lead
portions extending in the same direction is provided at the outer
circumference of the coaxial portion, the terminal portion
comprises a lead portion that is arranged between the pair of lead
portions so as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof,
impedance control is performed by adjusting the distance between
the lead portion of the terminal portion and the lead portions of
the coaxial portion, and the end faces of the pair of lead portions
and the end face of the lead portion of the terminal portion are
arranged on substantially the same plane.
4. An RF receptacle connector comprising: a conductive terminal
portion; and an annular conductive coaxial portion that is arranged
around the terminal portion, wherein a pair of conductive lead
portions extending in the same direction is provided at the outer
circumference of the coaxial portion, the terminal portion
comprises a lead portion that is arranged between the pair of lead
portions so as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof,
impedance control is performed by adjusting the distance between
the lead portion of the terminal portion and the lead portions of
the coaxial portion, and the end faces of the pair of lead portions
project out of the end face of the lead portion of the terminal
portion in the extension direction of each lead portion.
5. An RF connector comprising: a receptacle connector that
comprises a receptacle-side signal contact portion that comprises a
lead portion and a terminal portion that is installed in a
protruding manner in a portion thereof, and a receptacle-side
ground shell portion that comprises a pair of lead portions that
are arranged on both sides of the receptacle-side signal contact
portion and that extend in the same direction and a cylindrical
coaxial portion that is connected to the lead portions, and that is
integrated with the receptacle-side signal contact portion via an
insulating portion so that the terminal portion of the
receptacle-side signal contact portion is arranged in the center of
the coaxial; and a plug connector that comprises a plug-side signal
contact portion that comprises a lead portion and a terminal
portion that is installed in a protruding manner in a portion
thereof, and a plug-side ground shell portion that comprises lead
portions that are arranged on both sides of the plug-side signal
contact portion and that extend in the same direction and a
cylindrical coaxial portion that is connected to said leads, and
that is integrated with the plug-side signal contact portion via an
insulating portion so that the terminal portion of the plug-side
signal contact portion is arranged in the center of the coaxial
portion, wherein the terminal portion of the receptacle connector
and the terminal portion of the plug connector are capable of being
connected by fitting together the coaxial portion of the receptacle
connector and the coaxial portion of the plug connector the lead
portion of the receptacle-side signal contact portion is arranged
between the pair of leads of the receptacle-side ground shell
portion so as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof, the
lead portion of the plug-side signal contact portion is arranged
between the pair of leads of the plug-side ground shell portion so
as to be parallel to an extension direction thereof, and the end
faces of the lead portions of the receptacle-side ground shell
portion and the plug-side ground shell portion and the end faces of
the leads of the receptacle-side signal contact portion and the
plug-side signal contact portion are arranged on substantially the
same plane, respectively.
6. An RF connector comprising: a receptacle connector that
comprises a receptacle-side signal contact portion that comprises a
lead portion and a terminal portion that is installed in a
protruding manner in a portion thereof, and a receptacle-side
ground shell portion that comprises a pair of lead portion that are
arranged on both sides of the receptacle-side signal contact
portion and that extend in the same direction and a cylindrical
coaxial portion that is connected to the lead portions, and that is
integrated with the receptacle-side signal contact portion via an
insulating portion so that the terminal portion of the
receptacle-side signal contact portion is arranged in the center of
the coaxial portion; and a plug connector that comprises a
plug-side signal contact portion that comprises a lead portion and
a terminal portion that is installed in a protruding manner in a
portion thereof, and a plug-side ground shell portion that
comprises lead portions that are arranged on both sides of the
plug-side signal contact portion and that extend in the same
direction and a cylindrical coaxial portion that is connected to
said leads, and that is integrated with the plug-side signal
contact portion via an insulating portion so that the terminal
portion of the plug-side signal contact portion is arranged in the
center of the coaxial portion, wherein the terminal portion of the
receptacle connector and the terminal portion of the plug connector
are capable of being connected by fitting together the coaxial
portion of the receptacle connector and the coaxial portion of the
plug connector, the lead portion of the receptacle-side signal
contact portion is arranged between the pair of leads of the
receptacle-side ground shell portion so as to be parallel to an
extension direction thereof, the lead portion of the plug-side
signal contact portion is arranged between the pair of leads of the
plug-side ground shell portion so as to be parallel to an extension
direction thereof, and the end faces of the lead portions of the
receptacle-side ground shell portion and the plug-side ground shell
portion project out of the end face of the leads of the
receptacle-side signal contact portion and the plug-side signal
contact portion, respectively, in the extension direction of each
lead portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of a connector for
connecting an RF module and an antenna in an internal component of
an electronic device, and relates to a structure of a connector in
which the high-frequency characteristics are improved compared to a
conventional connector, and further high-frequency response is
possible.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a type of coaxial connector, a coaxial connector is known in
which an annular space and a cable housing portion are in
communication, a cable is exposed in the annular space, the distal
end of a cylindrical portion of a counter connector can be inserted
into the annular space until the vicinity of the cable housing
portion, at least a portion of an inner lid is accommodated between
standing walls upwardly extending from the hollow portion edge of
the insulator, a terminal is disposed on the upper plane of the
hollow portion edge of the main body of the insulator, and a
contact portion is provided sagging downward from a wire connection
portion (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. 2006-318936). Also, as this type of coaxial
connector, a coaxial connector that is constituted from a housing,
a bushing mounted in the housing, a socket held in the bushing, and
a semi-rigid cable mounted in the socket is known(refer to Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.
2001-307842).
In a conventional RF connector (compact coaxial connector),
impedance matching of the coaxial portion (cylindrical portion) is
mainly performed. However, in the conventional RF connector, since
the distance of the lead attachment portion is short, impedance
matching thereof was not performed. In particular, in the soldered
portions of the ground shell lead portion, a reinforcing role for
ensuring the soldering strength has generally served as the
object.
However, in a conventional RF connector, as stated above,
remarkable reflection occurred in the soldered portions due to
impedance matching of the soldered portions not being particularly
performed.
Also, with the increasing performance of electronic devices in
recent years, RF connectors corresponding to use in
higher-frequency ranges are required.
SUMMARY
In order to solve the aforementioned issues, the first aspect of
the present invention is an RF plug connector including: a
conductive terminal portion; and an annular conductive coaxial
portion that is arranged around the terminal portion, wherein a
pair of conductive lead portions extending in the same direction is
provided at the outer circumference of the coaxial portion, the
terminal portion includes a lead portion that is arranged between
the pair of lead portions so as to be parallel to an extension
direction thereof, and impedance control is performed by adjusting
the distance between the lead portion of the terminal portion and
the lead portions of the coaxial portion.
In the first aspect of the present invention, it may be arranged
such that the end faces of the pair of lead portions and the end
face of the lead portion of the terminal portion are arranged on
substantially the same plane. Moreover, it may be arranged such
that the end faces of the pair of lead portions project out of the
end face of the lead portion of the terminal portion in the
extension direction of each lead portion.
A second aspect of the present invention is an RF receptacle
connector including: a conductive terminal portion; and an annular
conductive coaxial portion that is arranged around the terminal
portion, wherein a pair of conductive lead portions extending in
the same direction is provided at the outer circumference of the
coaxial portion, the terminal portion includes a lead portion that
is arranged between the pair of lead portions so as to be parallel
to an extension direction thereof, and impedance control is
performed by adjusting the distance between the lead portion of the
terminal portion and the lead portions of the coaxial portion.
In the aforementioned second aspect, it may be arranged such that
the end faces of the pair of lead portions and the end face of the
lead portion of the terminal portion are arranged on substantially
the same plane. Moreover, it may be arranged such that the end
faces of the pair of lead portions project out of the end face of
the lead portion of the terminal portion in the extension direction
of each lead portion.
A third aspect of the present invention is an RF connector
including: a receptacle connector that includes a receptacle-side
signal contact portion that includes a lead portion and a terminal
portion that is installed in a protruding manner in a portion
thereof, and a receptacle-side ground shell portion that includes a
pair of lead portions that are arranged on both sides of the
receptacle-side signal contact portion and that extend in the same
direction and a cylindrical coaxial portion that is connected to
the lead portions, and that is integrated with the receptacle-side
signal contact portion via an insulating portion so that the
terminal portion of the receptacle-side signal contact portion is
arranged in the center of the coaxial portion; and a plug connector
that includes a plug-side signal contact portion that includes a
lead portion and a terminal portion that is installed in a
protruding manner in a portion thereof, and a plug-side ground
shell portion that includes lead portions that are arranged on both
sides of the plug-side signal contact portion and that extend in
the same direction and a cylindrical coaxial portion that is
connected to said leads, and that is integrated with the plug-side
signal contact portion via an insulating portion so that the
terminal portion of the plug-side signal contact portion is
arranged in the center of the coaxial portion, wherein the terminal
portion of the receptacle connector and the terminal portion of the
plug connector are capable of being connected by fitting together
the coaxial portion of the receptacle connector and the coaxial
portion of the plug connector, the lead portion of the
receptacle-side signal contact portion is arranged between the pair
of leads of the receptacle-side ground shell portion so as to be
parallel to an extension direction thereof, and the lead portion of
the plug-side signal contact portion is arranged between the pair
of leads of the plug-side ground shell portion so as to be parallel
to an extension direction thereof.
In the third aspect of the present invention, it may be arranged
such that all of the lead portion of the receptacle-side signal
contact portion and the lead portions of the receptacle-side ground
shell portion are formed to have a plate shape, the lead portions
of the receptacle-side ground shell portion project out in a
perpendicular direction with respect to the center axis of the
coaxial portion of the receptacle-side ground shell portion, and
the lead portion of the receptacle-side signal contact portion and
the lead portions of the receptacle-side ground shell portion are
arranged to be flush. Moreover, it may be arranged such that all of
the lead portion of the plug-side signal contact portion and the
lead portions of the plug-side ground shell portion are formed to
have a plate shape, the lead portions of the plug-side ground shell
portion project out in a perpendicular direction with respect to
the center axis of the coaxial portion of the plug-side ground
shell portion, and the lead portion of the plug-side signal contact
portion and the lead portions of the plug-side ground shell portion
are arranged to be flush.
In the third aspect of the present invention, it may be arranged
such that one surface of the lead portion of the receptacle-side
signal contact portion and the lead portions of the receptacle-side
ground shell portion, or one surface of the lead portion of the
plug-side signal contact portion and the lead portions of the
plug-side ground shell portion is arranged to be flush, and the
receptacle connector or the plug connector is capable of being
connecting to a pattern of a circuit board with these one surfaces
serving as soldered surfaces. Moreover, it may be arranged such
that the end faces of the lead portions of the receptacle-side
ground shell portion and the plug-side ground shell portion and the
end faces of the leads of the receptacle-side signal contact
portion and the plug-side signal contact portion are arranged on
substantially the same plane, respectively. Further, it may be
arranged such that the end faces of the lead portions of the
receptacle-side ground shell portion and the plug-side ground shell
portion project out of the end face of the leads of the
receptacle-side signal contact portion and the plug-side signal
contact portion, respectively, in the extension direction of each
lead portion.
In the connector according to the present invention, matching of
impedance is easy in the portion between the terminal portion and
the coaxial portion since the lead portions of the coaxial portion
are arranged on both sides of the lead portion of the terminal
portion, and impedance control is performed by adjusting the
distance between the lead portion of the terminal portion and the
lead portions of the coaxial portion. As a result, it is possible
to achieve a structure that is advantageous for use in the
high-frequency range by suppressing the generation of signal
reflections in the portion.
Further, the receptacle connector is constituted by the
receptacle-side signal contact portion and the receptacle-side
ground shell portion being integrated so that the terminal portion
is arranged in the center of the coaxial portion, and the lead
portion of the signal contact portion is arranged between the pair
of lead portions that are provided in the ground shell portion and
that extend in the same direction. Also, the plug connector is
constituted by the plug-side signal contact portion and the
plug-side ground shell portion being integrated so that the
terminal portion is arranged in the center of the coaxial portion,
and the lead portion of the signal contact portion is arranged
between the pair of lead portions that are provided in the ground
shell portion and that extend in the same direction. Thereby, it is
possible to perform impedance control by adjusting the distance
between the lead portions, i.e., between either of the lead
portions of the receptacle connector and the lead portions of the
plug connector. As a result, matching of impedance is easy in both
the receptacle connector and the plug connector, and it is possible
to achieve a structure that is advantageous for use in the
high-frequency range by suppressing the generation of signal
reflections in these portions.
Moreover, since the lead portions of the signal contact portions
and the lead portions of the ground shell portions are flush, it is
possible to accurately and reliably perform impedance control by
adjustment between the lead portions, which is advantageous in the
high-frequency range. Accordingly, it is possible to significantly
improve the high-frequency characteristic (VSWR). Further it is
possible to enable use in a higher-frequency range (for example 16
GHz) than previously.
Moreover, if the one surface of the lead portions according to the
present invention serves as soldered surfaces, it is possible to
perform impedance matching of the soldered portions while
maintaining the soldering strength and achieve excellent
high-frequency characteristic, compared to a conventional RF
connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector that
constitutes the RF connector according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a plug connector that
constitutes the RF connector according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a receptacle-side signal
contact portion according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a plug-side signal contact
portion according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the RF connector in
the engaged state according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from the receptacle connector
side showing the RF connector in the engaged state according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view seen from the plug connector side
showing the RF connector in the engaged state according to the
embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a receptacle connector that
constitutes the RF connector according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a plug connector that
constitutes the RF connector according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, an RF connector according to an embodiment of the
present invention shall be described.
Note that the embodiment is described in detail in order to better
comprehend the gist of the invention, and unless otherwise noted,
shall not serve to limit the present invention.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are figures that show outlines of the RF
connector according to the embodiment of the present invention. The
RF connector of the present embodiment consists of a receptacle
connector 1 and a plug connector 2. The receptacle connector 1 and
the plug connector 2 are mounted on separate circuit boards. When
the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are integrally
joined, the substrates on which the connectors are mounted become
electrically connected. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show schematic exploded
perspective views of the receptacle connector 1 and the plug
connector 2.
The receptacle connector 1 is constituted from a receptacle-side
signal contact portion 10 shown in (a) of FIG. 3, a receptacle-side
ground shell portion 20 shown in (b) of FIG. 3, and an insulating
portion 30 shown in (c) of FIG. 3. The receptacle connector 1 may
be obtained by integrally molding the receptacle-side signal
contact portion 10, the receptacle-side ground shell portion 20 and
the insulating portion 30 by insert molding.
A lead portion 11 of the receptacle-side signal contact portion 10
is formed from a conductor such as copper alloy having
substantially a rectangular plate shape. One surface of the lead
portion 11 is a soldered portion 12 that is soldered to the circuit
board. On a surface on the opposite side of the lead portion 11, a
terminal portion 13 having substantially a cylindrical shape is
provided so as to project out toward the opposite side of the
soldered portion in the normal direction of the surface. This
terminal portion 13 may be integrally formed with the lead portion
11 by drawing, or they may be integrally joined after being formed
as separate components.
A lead portion 22 of the receptacle-side ground shell portion 20 is
formed from a plate-shaped conductor having substantially a U-shape
such as a copper alloy. One surface of each lead portion 22 is a
soldered portion 25 that is soldered to the circuit board. On the
surface on the opposite side a coaxial portion 21 with a
cylindrical shape is provided so as to project out toward the
opposite side of the soldered portion in the normal direction of
the surface. Moreover, a semicircular portion 22a of the U-shaped
lead portion 22 and the outer circumference of the coaxial portion
21 are formed so as to be integrated. This coaxial portion 21 may
also be integrally formed with the lead portion 22 by drawing, or
they may be integrally joined after being formed as separate
components.
The insulating portion 30 is formed in a plate shape by an
insulator such as resin or the like, and houses the receptacle-side
signal contact portion 10 and the receptacle-side ground shell
portion 20 so that the terminal portion 13 of the receptacle-side
signal contact portion 10 and the coaxial portion 21 of the
receptacle-side ground shell portion 20 are arranged in a coaxial
manner while electrically insulating them from each other.
The lead portion 22 of the receptacle-side ground shell portion 20
is arranged so as to be separated by a predetermined distance from
the lead portion 11 on both sides of the lead portion 11 of the
receptacle-side signal contact portion 10. Also, an end face 14 of
the lead portion 11 and end face 23 of the lead portion 22 project
out of the side surface of a main body portion 30a of the
insulating portion 30 toward the outer side along the longitudinal
axis (extension direction) of the lead portion 11. The end face 14
and the end face 23 of the respective lead portions are arranged on
the same plane.
The insulator 30 has a hole portion 30b that is formed in the
center of the plate-shaped main body portion 30a, and is integrated
with the receptacle-side ground shell portion 20 by inserting the
coaxial portion 21 of the receptacle-side ground shell portion 20
into the hole portion 30b. Also, a groove portion 30c that
partially contains the lead portions 22, 22 is formed on both sides
of the bottom surface of the insulator 30 that faces the
receptacle-side ground shell portion 20. In the state of the
insulator 30 and the receptacle-side ground shell portion 20 being
integrated by inserting the coaxial portion 21 of the
receptacle-side ground shell portion 20 in the hole portion 30b,
the lead portion 22, 22 partially project out of the insulator 30
at the both sides thereof. Also, a doughnut-plate shaped insulating
member 30d is inserted inside the coaxial portion 21 that is placed
inside the hole portion 30b, and the terminal portion 13 is
inserted into a hole portion 30e in the center of the insulating
portion 30d, whereby the receptacle-side signal contact portion 10
is mounted on the insulator 30. Also, a housing groove 30f is
formed in the middle of the bottom portion of the insulating
portion 30 so as to be positioned between the groove portions 30c,
30c, and the lead portion 11 of the receptacle-side signal contact
portion 10 is fitted in the housing groove 30f. The distal end
portion of the lead portion 11 projects out slightly of the
insulator 30.
On the other hand, the plug connector 2 consists of a plug-side
signal contact portion 40 shown in (a) of FIG. 4, a plug-side
ground shell portion 50 shown in (b) of FIG. 4, and an insulating
portion 60 shown in (c) of FIG. 4. The plug-side signal contact
portion 40 and the plug-side ground shell portion 50 have a
complementary shape with the receptacle-side signal contact portion
10 and the receptacle-side ground shell portion 20, respectively.
Also, the plug connector 2 may be obtained by integrally molding
the plug-side signal contact portion 40, the plug-side ground shell
portion 50, and the insulating portion 60.
A terminal portion 43 of the plug-side signal contact portion 40 is
provided so as to project from the surface of the opposite side of
a soldered portion 42 of a lead portion 41, which is formed with a
conductor having substantially a rectangular plate shape, toward
the opposite side of the soldered portion in the normal direction
of the surface. The terminal portion 43 is substantially
cylindrical, but it may be split into a plurality of portions at
equal angles along the center axis of the terminal portion 43 in
the radial direction (it is split in the example of (a) of FIG. 4).
The terminal portion 43 may be integrally formed with the lead
portion 41 by press working or the like, or they may be integrally
joined after being formed as separate components.
A coaxial portion 51 of the plug-side ground shell portion 50 is
provided so as to project out of the surface on the opposite side
of a soldered portion 55 of a lead portion 52, which is formed with
a plate-shaped conductor having substantially a U-shape, toward the
opposite side of the soldered portion in the normal direction of
the surface. The coaxial portion 51 is also substantially
cylindrical, and is split into a plurality of portions at equal
angles along the center axis of the coaxial portion 51 in the
radial direction. Moreover, the semicircular portion of the lead
portion 52 and the circular arc of the coaxial portion 51 are
formed so as to match. This coaxial portion 51 may also be
integrally formed with the lead portion 52 by press working or the
like, or they may be integrally joined after being formed as
separate components.
The insulating portion 60 is formed in a plate shape by an
insulator such as resin or the like, and houses the plug-side
signal contact portion 40 and the plug-side ground shell portion 50
so that the terminal portion 43 of the plug-side signal contact
portion 40 and the coaxial portion 51 of the plug-side ground shell
portion 50 are arranged in a coaxial manner while electrically
insulating them from each other.
The insulating portion 60 has a cylindrical projection portion 60b
in the center of a plate-shaped main body portion 60a, and a
fitting hole 60c that allows insertion of the coaxial portion 51 of
the plug-side ground shell portion 50 is formed on the outer
periphery side of the projection portion 60b. The terminal portion
43 of the plug-side signal contact portion 40 is capable of being
inserted into the inner side of the projection portion 60b. A round
hole portion 60d inside the projection portion 60b has an inner
diameter that allows insertion of the terminal portion 13 of the
aforementioned receptacle-side signal contact portion, and four
vertical groove portions 60e are formed on the inner circumference
portion of the hole portion 60d. The terminal portion 43 of the
plug-side signal contact portion 40 that is divided into four is
inserted into the groove portions 60e. That is, by fitting the
upper portion of the coaxial portion 51 of the plug-side ground
shell portion 50 into the fitting hole 60c of the insulating
portion 60, and inserting the upper portion of the terminal 43 of
the plug-side signal contact portion 40 in the groove portions 60e,
the insulating portion 60, the plug-side ground shell portion 50,
and the plug-side signal contact portion 40 are integrated as shown
in FIG. 2. Note that in the state shown in FIG. 2, the lead portion
52 of the plug-side ground shell portion 50 and the lead portion 41
of the plug-side signal contact portion 40 slightly project out
from the insulating portion 60.
The lead portion 52 of the plug-side ground shell portion 50 is
also arranged to be separated by a predetermined distance d from
the lead portion 41 (refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) on both sides of
the lead portion 41 of the plug-side signal contact portion 40.
Also, an end face 44 of the lead portion 41 and end face 53 of the
lead portion 52 slightly project out of the side portion of the
insulating portion 60 to the outside along the longitudinal axis
(extension direction) of the lead portion 41. The end face 44 and
the end faces 53 are arranged on the same plane.
The RF connector according to the present invention can perform
impedance matching of the lead portions by adjusting the
aforementioned distance d. By changing this distance d, it is
possible to adjust the impedance of the lead portions to a desired
value.
Also, according to the results of electromagnetic field simulations
that the inventors have performed using the structure of the
present embodiment, it is found that the high-frequency
characteristic is improved if the lead end faces 23, 53 of the
ground shell portions 20, 50 project out approximately 0.5 mm from
the end faces 14, 44 of the signal contact portions 10, 40 in the
extension direction of each lead portion. Accordingly, the lead end
faces 23, 53 of the ground shell portions 20, 50 may project out
approximately 0.5 mm from the end faces 14, 44 of the signal
contact portions 10, 40 in the extension direction of each lead
portion.
Moreover, a groove portion 26 is formed on the outer
circumferential surface of the coaxial portion 21 of the
receptacle-side ground shell portion 20, and one or more projection
portion 56 may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of
the coaxial portion 51 of the plug-side ground shell portion 50 at
a height corresponding to that of the groove portion 26. When the
receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 are fitted together
(refer to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7), the projection portion 56
fits into the groove portion 26, whereby unexpected detachment
between the receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2 is
prevented.
In the connector according to the present invention, since the lead
portions 22, 52 of the coaxial portions are arranged on both sides
of the lead portions 11, 41 of the terminal portions, and impedance
control is performed by adjusting the distance between the lead
portions 11, 41 of the terminal portions and the lead portions 22,
52 of the coaxial portions, matching of impedance is easy in the
portion between the terminal portions 13, 43 and the coaxial
portions 21, 51, and it is possible to achieve a structure that is
advantageous for use in the high-frequency range by suppressing the
generation of signal reflections in the portion.
Also, the receptacle connector 1 is constituted by the
receptacle-side signal contact portion 10 and the receptacle-side
ground shell portion 20 being integrated so that the terminal
portion 13 is arranged in the center of the coaxial portion 21, and
the lead portion 11 of the signal contact portion is arranged
between the pair of lead portions 22, 22 that are provided in the
ground shell portion and that extend in the same direction.
Moreover, the plug connector 2 is constituted by the plug-side
signal contact portion 40 and the plug-side ground shell portion 50
being integrated so that the terminal portion 43 is arranged in the
center of the coaxial portion 51, and the lead portion 41 of the
signal contact portion is arranged between the pair of lead
portions 52, 52 that are provided in the ground shell portion and
that extend in the same direction. Thereby, it is possible to
perform impedance control by adjusting the distance between the
lead portions, i.e., between either of the lead portions of the
receptacle connector 1 and the lead portions of the plug connector
2. As a result, matching of impedance is easy in both the
receptacle connector 1 and the plug connector 2, and it is possible
to achieve a structure that is advantageous for use in the
high-frequency range by suppressing the generation of signal
reflections in these portions.
Moreover, since the lead portions 11, 41 of the signal contact
portions and the lead portions 22, 52 of the ground shell portions
are flush, it is possible to accurately and reliably perform
impedance control by adjustment between the lead portions, which is
advantageous in the high-frequency range. Accordingly, it is
possible to significantly improve the high-frequency characteristic
(VSWR). Further, it is possible to enable use in a higher frequency
range (for example 16 GHz) than previously.
Moreover, if the one surface of the lead portions according to the
present invention serves as soldered surfaces, it is possible to
perform impedance matching of the soldered portions while
maintaining the soldering strength and achieve excellent
high-frequency characteristic, compared to a conventional RF
connector.
* * * * *